SIXTY jobs could be created by a £3.5 million holiday park proposed for the Stewartry.

Developers are looking at building as many as 450 chalets at Barncrosh Farm near Ringford.

And they are also proposing to put in leisure facilities such as a swimming pool, sauna and restaurant.

Mark McGarry, who is currently the park manager of South Lakeland Holiday’s White Cross Bay Park at Windermere, and business partner Robert Ure are behind the scheme.

They have yet to purchase the land or apply for planning permission but they have submitted “a screening opinion for an environmental impact assessment” to the council for the project.

Mr McGarry said: “At the present time I work for a company that operates holidays parks and it is absolutely first class. It’s a high end development and when you see the money that can be made you feel you want some yourself.

“We have spent a lot of time searching for a site and about 18 months ago I came across Barncrosh for sale. It is a lovely area.”

He added: “Myself and my partners went to look at it and the impression we got was it would make quite a good holiday park.

“We want to build between 300 and 450 lodges to go on 130 acres and we can develop it into quite a high end park with leisure facilities.

“That’s the proposal whether or not it can come off I don’t know.”

Mr McGarry believes it would cost around £3.5million to purchase and develop the site, which would be done in stages, with natural screening ensuring as much of the park was hidden from view as possible.

And as well as generating employment during the construction, he believes up to 60 jobs could be created to help with the running of the park.

MSP Alex Fergusson has given the proposals a cautious welcome.

He said: “Clearly this plan is at its very earliest stages, and I am excited at the possibilities that it brings with it.

“It is very encouraging that the potential of this wonderful part of Scotland is being recognised through this possible substantial development, and it could add significantly to the tourism assets of Galloway.”

He added: “Obviously, as always, the devil lies in the detail and much of the detail of this proposal remains to be seen but, at this early stage, I hope the planners will look on it positively and I look forward to seeing how the proposal progresses.”

And Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown added: “This proposal would be a significant boost to our local economy and the creation of around 50 jobs would be very welcome, especially in these tough times.

“The area has some of the most stunning natural scenery in the country and we have real potential to grow the number of visitors to our region.”

He added: “With between 300 and 450 chalets, as well as the associated infrastructure, it is a very large project and would need to be well screened to protect the landscape and environment.

“We need to see the detail of how this will be done, but experience from elsewhere in the country shows that developments of this scale can be achieved while respecting the environment if done carefully.”

A VisitScotland spokeswoman said: “Dumfries and Galloway already provides quality self catering accommodation which encourages a high proportion of repeat visitors and there is certainly opportunity to maximise upon the ongoing staycation trend.

“Last year visitors to Scotland from within the UK rose by six per cent and any investment into tourism in the region, we would hope, would provide a welcome boost to the area.”

Barncrosh Farm, which covers 91 acres, is on the market for £1.5 million through CKD Galbraith.